I don't like memoirs! So why have I read FOUR this year???? Well, this one is easy to answer- I adore, adore Sherman Alexie!! This memoir is no exception. For one thing it doesn't seem like a memoir. Sherman writes the way he writes, which is the greatest compliment as far as I'm concerned. He is able to hold joy and sorrow in his hand. He tells the truth as he lies and lies as he tells the truth. He stares unflinchingly at all the ugly and revels in all the beauty. He knows who he is and who we are even when he doesn't.
52. The View from the Cheap Seats by Neil Gaiman
I read this book while reading Sherman's memoir, and they were beautiful compliments to each other and incredible contrasts. Sherman talked about a white guy asking him what made his work so "particularly Indian." My answer would be read these books together. Neil's isn't a memoir, but it does give a lot of insight into his own thoughts about himself, as does Sherman's. And it's very clear the different struggles these two brilliant writers had.
53. The Book of Phoenix by Nnedi Okorafor
I love Nnedi Okorafor's writing. One of the things that I love about her writing is that she exposes me to things I don't know anything about. This book was a little different and is a little heavier than the other books of hers I've read. I found it a little challenging to get into but once in I found it a great book. Challenging and uncomfortable but engaging.
54. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Oh, boy! I put this book on hold at the library and it took forever to come. By the time it came I thought maybe I would find it too heavy or wouldn't match my mood. That perhaps I didn't want to read more Neil Gaiman so soon. But I was wrong. This was a great book. There was a bit at the beginning that was a little beyond me but that was one short part and the rest was very engaging.
55. A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall
This is a cute story told from different perspectives. One thing I enjoyed about it was that she had a squirrel and a bench as narrators. I'm always interested in stories where non-human perspectives are given. Sure, I think most people don't have an idea how to express non-human ideas, but to actually try is impressive to me.
It seems apropos to share a Sherman Alexie quote here.
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